The US Navy’s nuclear submarine, capable of launching Ohio-class cruise missiles, will dock at the southeastern port of Pusan for the first time in six years, according to a statement signed in April between Washington and Seoul, the South Korean military said in a statement.
This text asserted that Washington’s commitment to “extend deterrence in South Korea is supported by all American capabilities, including nuclear.” South Korean fleet commander Kim Myung Soo said the aim was to counter growing threats from Pyongyang.
The French news agency quoted the statement as saying that the arrival of the submarine “aims to implement Washington’s declaration in a substantial way (…) to improve the regular visibility of American strategic assets on the Korean peninsula. “.
Seoul and Washington seek, through the presence of the submarine in Busan, to “strengthen their combat and joint action capabilities to respond to the growing threats from North Korea through joint exercises”, according to a press release issued by the authorities. Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the submarine, which weighs 18,000 tons and is 170 meters long, is capable of carrying 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 2,500 kilometers.
For his part, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country’s status as a nuclear power was “irreversible” and called for further development of weapons, including tactical nuclear weapons.
In response, Seoul and Washington vowed that Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the “end” of its current regime if it decided to use nuclear weapons against them.
North Korea has conducted a series of weapons tests this year despite sanctions, including testing its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile.
On May 31, North Korea attempted to orbit its first military observation satellite, but the missile “fell into the sea” and sank with its payload shortly after launch due to “loss of energy”. momentum,” Pyongyang said.
North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles, the South Korean military said on Thursday, shortly after Pyongyang warned of an “inevitable” response to joint U.S.-South Korean military drills.
The two countries have long held joint exercises that North Korea sees as preparation for an invasion.
Read the Latest World News Today on The Eastern Herald.
